KY State vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

KY State vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State or UWM? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kentucky State University than UWM ($9,397 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 25.7% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,686 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $1,011 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64% higher at UWM than at Kentucky State University (about $8,740 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky State University students is 62.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($10,340 vs. $6,347).

KY State vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State or UWM? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UWM and KY State.

• Incoming UWM students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UWM students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than UWM (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 23.8% at UWM.

KY State vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State and UWM? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $4,042 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($24,958 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($258 vs. $299).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 24%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.